Cancer-causing toys which could kill have been seized at a shopping centre. Dolls containing the chemical phthalates, which can also cause birth defects in newborn babies and infertility in men, have been confiscated by trading standards.

Cancer-causing toys which could kill have been seized at a shopping centre.

Dolls containing the chemical phthalates, which can also cause birth defects in newborn babies and infertility in men, have been confiscated by trading standards.

The chemical, which is used to soften plastics, is banned under European law from toys designed for children aged three and under.

Officials swooped on a stall in the Exchange shopping centre in Rochdale and confiscated two ‘Fruit Head’ dolls after being tipped off by shoppers.

They also seized 18 similar dolls from another shop in the town. Tests are being carried out on the second batch of toys to see if they also contain the banned chemical. Officials are also pleading with shoppers who bought the toys to return them.

The Fruit Head dolls, which are on sale across Europe, are subject to an EU-wide recall.

Andrea Duffy from Turf Hill, Rochdale, who bought one of the dolls for her seven-year-old grandaughter, became suspicious when she got it home.

She said: “I rang trading standards and they said they had been taken off the shelves. I was really scared. I called the NHS helpline and they told me that unless my grandaughter had been sucking the doll there was no need to panic.”

Andy Glover, Rochdale council’s chief public protection officer, said: “We have received three complaints about Fruit Head dolls which were bought at an outlet in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre before Christmas.

“These dolls are the subject of a product alert and product recall due to a chemical contained within the plastic, meaning they do not comply with the toy safety directive.

“We have also confiscated similar dolls from another shop in the town centre. Discussions are taking place with the supplier. We suspect that other people may already have purchased these dolls and would urge them to immediately return them to the outlet where they were purchased. People are reminded that toys should come with correct labelling and packaging. Children should never be given toys which the label identifies as not suitable for their age.”

A spokesman for the Exchange said one business selling the Fruit Head dolls had vacated its stall.

He said: “We have very strict controls on what can be sold from the barrows on the Mall and we have the right to withdraw anything we do not think is suitable. We will be keeping a close eye to ensure these dolls do not appear for sale again in the Exchange.”

Anyone with concerns about dolls can call the Consumer Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.